An extraordinary story of an ordinary woman

Sigrid, the main character of City of Women, has a secret: Rather than worry over her husband who is on the front line in World War II, she dreams of her Jewish lover—and eventually faces a stark choice.This impressive debut novel reads like a thriller—one that’s “full of sharp twists, sex, muddy morals and a Berlin that...

The real housewives of Berlin

David R. Gillham is making quite the splash with his gripping portrait of an ordinary World War II hausfrau in extraordinary circumstances: Praise has been lavished on City of Women by historical fiction brethren Alan Furst, Margaret Leroy and Paula McLain, and rights have been sold in multiple countries. Not too shabby for a first-time novelist. And also not surprising. Full of sharp twists,...